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I am in the process of adding a collection of Netherlands Duits from the 18th century. These copper coins were the small change of the Dutch trading empire at the time and could be found in the Indies, Americas and Europe. Typically at £5-£10 they are an inexpensive piece of history and can be found under Netherlands in world coins.

From the first days of coinage some 2500 years ago coins, particularly silver and gold, have been worn as jewellery to denote wealth, status, and an appreciation of the art that the coin displays. A coin collector may see this as a good coin ruined, however I have always looked out for good examples of coins that have been used in this way. This example is an enameled sixpence worn as a stickpin. What makes this one unusual is that it is from the reign of Queen Anne, dated 1711, (although I am sure that the jewellery conversion was done...

From the black sea area of ancient Greece, these dolphin shaped 'coins' circulated about 2500 years ago. One only available

  Pictured above are examples of the 'Money Cowrie', a seashell commonly found in the Indian ocean. Shells have been used as money in most continents for thousands of years, with the financial incentive being collect them in large numbers from where they are common. (IE, the Maldives) and ship them to where they were much less common. (IE. West Africa) and trade them at a huge profit. This practice continued well into the 19th century.   For example, one African tribal king's revenue was estimated at 30,000,000 shells, with every adult male being required to pay annually 1000 shells...

, This medal was awarded for Conspicuous gallantry. He (The recipient) bandaged 2 wounded men after extricating them from a dug-out in which they had been buried during a heavy bombardment, and when they were buried again he again rescued them and got them into safety and finally to the dressing station' 'Sapper W Liggins, 1st West Lancashire Field Company. Royal Engineers.' He died later in the war, in 1918. This took place in March 1916 on the western front. His distinguished conduct medal (pictured) is the award for bravery immediately below the Victoria cross. Owning items like this is...